Protect Yourself Online
Viruses, spam, phishing, spyware! There are so many dangers lurking out there on the web, sometimes we are afraid to use our Internet at all.
In September 2007, Consumers Union's flagship publication, Consumer Reports, issued an extensive investigative report, "Protect Yourself Online."
- Despite recent federal legislation, the amount of spam is increasing. Here is what you should do when you get spammed:
- Don't reply to it
- Don't click on any links
- Don't buy anything--scammers love to use spam to sell illegal or low-quality wares
- Don't unsubscribe unless you signed up for the e-mail in the first place
- Flag the message as spam if your e-mail program or software has this feature
- Move to a new e-mail or Internet access provider that promises to help block spam better
- Virus attacks have also on the rise.
- Make sure your Windows computer has a virus scanner and that Windows and your virus protection are frequently updated
- Spyware is widespread. Spyware refers to programs that implant themselves on your computer hard drive and then tack what you do online, slow your computer, or take control of your computer.
- Phishing, the sending of fraudulent email that links to bogus web sites—often out to steal your credit card number—is also growing.
